Layton Williams Responds to ‘Trolling’ Over ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
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Actor Layton Williams is a contestant on the current season of Strictly Come Dancing in the UK, dancing with pro Nikita Kuzmin. Williams recently took to social media to respond to “trolling” messages he has received about his involvement in the show.
Strictly Come Dancing Star Layton Williams Responds to Trolls
Over the weekend, Williams thanked fans for their support in a social media message. However, he pointed out that not everyone has been positive about his involvement in the current season of Strictly.
“The messages of love are overwhelming but as is the low key trolling,” Williams wrote alongside a selfie. “I’m just here to have fun like all the other contestants. I’m trying to handle this with a smile and determination to slay another day but reminder #BeKind.”
Williams didn’t specify the nature of the trolling he has received, but the Independent reports that some viewers take issue with the actor’s participation in the show due to his past dance experience. He previously took on the title role in a West End production of Billy Elliot and has admitted to being trained in jazz, tap, and ballet “to a certain degree.”
“So dance is in me, it’s a core feeling and I love it and it’s my passion,” Williams acknowledged. “But this world of Latin and Ballroom is completely new to me, so that’s what I’m excited to explore.”
SEE ALSO: BRUNO TONIOLI REVEALS THE REAL REASON HE LEFT ‘STRICTLY COME DANCING’
The messages of love are overwhelming but as is the low key trolling. I'm just here to have fun like all the other contestants. I'm trying to handle this with a smile and determination to slay another day but reminder #BeKind 🕺🏾 #Strictly ✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/hhgyCosNZx
— Layton Williams (@LaytonWilliams) October 1, 2023
Williams Has Been Doing Well on the Show
Williams is part of one of Strictly Come Dancing‘s first same-sex pairings, with his male dance partner Nikita Kuzmin. Past same-sex duos on the show have included Katya Jones and Nicola Adams in 2020, Johannes Redabe and John Whaite in 2021, and Jade Adams and Karen Haur 2022.
So far, the current season of Strictly has aired two weeks of competition. Williams has shown himself to be a frontrunner, as he and Kuzmin earned a score of 29 out of 40 for their Samba in Week 1. Then last week, their Quickstep earned a 36 out of 40.
Last week, in an interview with Lorraine Kelly, Williams said ballroom dancing is “a completely different vibe” from the dancing he’s done in the past, adding, “I think people don’t realize that.”
